Proximate Composition, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Potential of Wild Halophytes Grown in Coastal Salt Marsh Habitats

Halophytes have been characterized as a potential resource for fiber, food, fodder, and bioactive compounds. Proximate composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of five wild dominant halophytes (<i>Arthrocnemum</i><i>macrostachyum</i>, <i>Halocnemum<...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yasser A. El-Amier, Walid Soufan, Khalid F. Almutairi, Nouf S. Zaghloul, Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/1/28
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Summary:Halophytes have been characterized as a potential resource for fiber, food, fodder, and bioactive compounds. Proximate composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of five wild dominant halophytes (<i>Arthrocnemum</i><i>macrostachyum</i>, <i>Halocnemum</i><i>strobilaceum</i>, <i>Limoniastrum</i><i>monopetalum</i>, <i>Limoniastrum</i><i>pruinosum</i>, and <i>Tamarix nilotica</i>) naturally growing along the Nile Delta coast were assessed. The soil supporting these halophytes was sandy to sand-silty, alkaline, with low organic carbon, and relatively high CaCO<sub>3</sub>. <i>H. strobilaceum</i> attained the highest moisture content, ash, crude fiber, lipids, and total soluble sugars. <i>L. monopetalum</i> showed the highest content of crude protein (18.00%), while <i>T. nilotica</i> had the highest content of total carbohydrates. The studied halophytes can be ranked according to their nutritive value as follows: <i>H.</i><i>strobilaceum</i> > <i>L.</i><i>monopetalum</i> > <i>A.</i><i>macrostachyum</i> > <i>L.</i><i>pruinosum</i> > <i>T. nilotica</i>. <i>A. macrostachyum</i> attained the highest amount of Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, and Mg<sup>2+</sup>. <i>A. macrostachyum</i> showed a high content of phenolic compounds, while <i>H.</i><i>strobilaceum</i> was rich in tannins and saponin contents. The MeOH extract of <i>A. macrostachyum</i> and <i>H. strobilaceum</i> exhibited substantial antioxidant activity. The present results showed that the studied halophytes could be considered as candidates for forage production or used as green eco-friendly natural resources for bioactive compounds.
ISSN:1420-3049